THE 53 pigs which were rescued from a Pembroke Dock “horror farm” in January are still at the centre of discussions which could save them from death.

Pembrokeshire County Council took possession of the pigs on March 7, following a civil court case calling for the forfeiture of the animals from their owner, Sean Burns of Rosehill Lodge, Pembroke Dock.

Animal rights campaigners are currently in an ongoing negotiation with the council to adopt the pigs.

A spokesman for the council said: “Discussions are continuing to take place about the future of the 53 pigs rescued from Bramble Hall Farm.

“The issue has been affected by a further legal process which is ongoing. The pigs are still in our possession and in a secure location.”

Prior to these negotiations, the pigs were destined to be destroyed to prevent a risk to public health as they had been exposed to animal by-products.

The pigs were discovered at Bramble Hall Farm, Pembroke Dock in January, fighting over the chained carcasses of sheep following an animal welfare operation involving PCC, the police, the Dogs Trust and the RSPCA.

During the civil hearing, PCC also sought for 20 horses and a donkey to be put in the care of the RSPCA, 50 dogs to the Dogs Trust, and for 80 sheep and three goats to go to the county council to be sold.